A 51-year-old Sydney man has been arrested in Thailand by the Royal Thai Police for a sexual assault on a child allegedly committed in Thailand.

On Tuesday, 30 October 2012 the Australian Federal Police (AFP) conducted a search warrant at the man’s residential address in Sydney seizing electronic devices. AFP officers subsequently referred information about the man’s suspected activities to the Royal Thai Police, as information obtained identified the man was currently in Thailand.

The man was arrested yesterday (November 8, 2012) at Bangkok International Airport by the Royal Thai Police Anti Human Trafficking Division.

The man has been charged with the following Thai offences:

One count of indecency with a child under 15 years of age, contrary to section 279 of the Criminal Act 1956 – penalty not exceeding 10 years imprisonment and/or a fine not exceeding 20,000 Baht; and

One count of commit an act which results in torturing a child’s body or mind of the Child Protection Act 2003 – penalty not exceeding 3 months imprisonment and/or a fine not exceeding 30,000 Baht.

AFP National Coordinator Child Protection Operations Todd Hunter today congratulated the Royal Thai Police saying this result was a testament to our strong international relationships.

“The AFP works closely with our international counterparts through our International Liaison Officer Network and arrests like these are extremely satisfying to law enforcement,” Detective Superintendent Hunter said.

“The AFP is committed to taking all necessary action to protect children in Australia and internationally from sexual exploitation. The AFP will actively exercise all available options to prevent the sexual abuse of children anywhere at anytime.

“As police officers we are dedicated to ensuring the most vulnerable in our society, young children, are protected and that we put a stop to sickening criminal acts against children.

“It is extremely gratifying when we, together with our national and International partners, can bring offenders before the court so they can be dealt with according to society’s expectations.

“This is another example of a significant transnational joint effort that has potentially saved many young victims from future abuse. Offenders contemplating this abhorrent activity should be warned, you will be reported, you will be investigated and you may well find yourself locked up in an overseas jail.”

In Australia the maximum penalty under the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth), section 272.9, sexual activity (other than sexual intercourse) with child outside Australia, is imprisonment for 15 years.